Alive & Thrive is an initiative that aims to improve infant and young child feeding practices and reduce childhood stunting. In Vietnam, Alive & Thrive's primary intervention is implemented through a social franchise linked with the government's health system. The impact evaluation is conducted using a cluster-randomized design in which 20 commune health centers (CHC) were assigned to the social franchise model, and 20 CHC were assigned to routine government services. Repeated cross-sectional baseline and endline surveys will be used to assess the public health impact of this intervention. The baseline was in 2010 and an endline survey in the same communities will be conducted in 2014. Mixed methods process evaluation will be conducted in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to study the pathways through which the program impact is achieved.

Heights and weights of children in the intervention and comparison communes covered by the CHCs in the study will be assessed in 2014. A new sample of children 0-60 months will be enrolled into the endline survey to measure these outcomes and compute height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores based on the WHO growth reference standards.

This intervention arm will receive the standard government services offered at CHCs all over Vietnam. In addition, participants in this arm will be exposed to the nationwide mass media campaign.

Behavioral: Standard government health services

This intervention will be basic preventive and curative health services provided by the commune health centers. This includes antenatal care, postnatal care and basic nutrition related counseling.

Behavioral: Mass media campaign

Alive & Thrive is implementing a nationwide mass media campaign in 2011, 2012 and 2013, with a focus on improving breastfeeding practices. The mass media intervention includes TV and radio spots as well as an internet site and a telephone hotline.

Experimental: A&T Franchise

In this arm, the 20 CHCs will offer Alive & Thrive branded franchise services with enhanced quality of IYCF counseling through interpersonal contact between health workers at the commune level and clients who use the commune health services. In addition, the clients could also be exposed to the mass media campaign.

Behavioral: Standard government health services

This intervention will be basic preventive and curative health services provided by the commune health centers. This includes antenatal care, postnatal care and basic nutrition related counseling.

Behavioral: Alive & Thrive IYCF franchise services

This intervention includes intensive behavioral counseling to improve infant and young child feeding. A package of 15 counseling contacts that are quality assured and branded will be offered to families of infants and young children. Services might also include user fees.

Behavioral: Mass media campaign

Alive & Thrive is implementing a nationwide mass media campaign in 2011, 2012 and 2013, with a focus on improving breastfeeding practices. The mass media intervention includes TV and radio spots as well as an internet site and a telephone hotline.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

up to 60 Months

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Children 0-60 months of age

Exclusion Criteria:

None

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01676623